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April 2016
Hello Members.
Spring has sprung in 2016. We have survived the wettest recorded winter in history with 42 inches of rain, which is usually the total for the year. With the sun and wet weather, spring has come early. The grass is already growing at the height of its growth curve. We are currently on a weekly mowing schedule and also will be planting some trees in the next few weeks. The trees are to replace the ones we lost during the drought and windstorms.
We have begun filling potholes and graveling the park which is a bi yearly job done in the spring and fall. If you have a spot and we have not gotten to it feel free to let us know, and we will make sure it gets taken care of.
The final preparations for the removal of the General Managers residence are in place. Chances are that by the time you read this it will be gone. It has been a long process but it is finally on to a new home. With this comes the change of resident GM. But not to worry I only live five minutes away so in the case of a park emergency I am readily available (such as a power outage).
Update on the power outage. For those of you who were not here you may find some spoiled food in your fridge or freezer. We lost partial power to the park in the month of March for 51 hours with seven and a half being a complete outage due to a ground fault near the main pole at the front of the park. The wiring is the original that was installed and finally faulted out. We are currently looking at bids to replace that section of line. The line is a total of 320 feet, and although it will be a big job it will ensure that section does not fault again.
Please welcome back Dennis Hanson to Head of Security. Dennis previously served in this role and was a member of the security for ten years. Dennis has great knowledge of park function and is going to be a positive contributor to the BBLP team. Dennis will be assisting Patti Austin with site compliance. Also security staffing and scheduling, and other security functions. You will notice some subtle changes as Dennis is a good fit for Head of Security which has been much needed role for the last two and a half years.
The spring dumpster will be arriving April 25th and will be here till May 9th. Any of your spring clean-up throw outs can be placed in the dumpster located on Hawthorne St. Same location as it has been in the past. Anything can go except for paints and stains, those will still be discarded at the landfill area next to the building. You do not need a permit for this spring dumpster.
I look forward to welcoming everybody back over the upcoming months and remember 5 miles an hour! Thank you.
See you around the park!
Don Brown, General Manager
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PET OWNERS FYI
My family and I have been coming down to the park all winter enjoying the peace and quiet.
In December we had a very interesting event at the boarder, we had a random search (we have had these a lot as my husband crosses for work)
.
We have two small dogs that are always with us, as are their papers for shots (thank goodness). For the first time in my forty + years they asked for the paper work and crossed checked our dogs tags!
We were told if you travel through the NEXUS lane (without) your pets papers you will loose your
nexus card, the border guard said there was a request by one of the USA government agencies to be more diligent with pets crossing into the USA. Since that day we have been asked every time we have crossed.
Taryn Durkin-Bell
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TEEN SWIM IS BACK!
We are very happy to let all of our Teens and parents know TEEN SWIM IS BACK NIGHTLY.
Teens from 13-19 will be welcome at the pool every night from 9:00 - 10:00pm.
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THE BRIER
Please DO NOT DUMP ANY USED FURNITURE, DISHES,WORK OUT EQUIPMENT, T.V. & AUDIO EQUIPMENT AT BRIER! It will not be kept without approval.
If you have something you think would be a good additions to Brier, and you wish to donate it, please contact Taryn Bell and she will let you know if it is in the vision of what we want for Brier.
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MOTOWN NIGHT
He's coming back for another evening of your
MOTOWN Favorites.
Riley Inge, a former Temptation
will be singing to your delight sharing some of those great Motown Hits, like My Girl, Just your imagination
and many many more!
Tickets will sell very fast so grab them quick, the previous show
sold out!
SATURDAY,
JULY 9TH 2016
Doors OPEN AT- 7:00pm
Show starts - 8:00pm
Tickets are available at the
office
$23.00 Canadian,
per person!
BYOB AND SNACKS
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BBLP MEMBERSHIP TRANSFERS
We are very happy to report to our fellow BBLP members who are selling their property, all transfers will be done in our park office by appointment !
If you are selling your membership and require a membership transfer please contact the office. Shelly will set up an appointment for you.
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TSUNAMI INFO
This is something none of use want to think about but our park is located in a TSUNAMI AND EARTH QUAKE HAZARD AREA we must have plans.
As we all know Tsunamis are triggered by earth quakes, we live and vacation in a very seismically active part of the world.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
- Have a family plan, everyone needs to know what to do on their own (even your children).
We all need to be familiar with local earthquake and Tsunami plans and how to get there and what to do within 15 minutes on foot TIME IS VERY IMPORTANT. Try it one time after a C-Shop visit, it will help your kids and you understand how far it is on foot.
-Car evacuation may not be possible due to road damage and downed power lines and debris.
Avoid wetland which are prone to flooding and liquefaction during aftershocks.
-Do not wait for offical warnings get out of the area immediately
- If you feel the ground shake evacuate to high ground immediately,
(MORE THAN ONE WAVE, MULTIPLE
) over 12 feet could reach our shores and our park. Depending on the type of earth quake (Distant or Local) waves could reach us in 11-15 minutes or 2 hours.
-Our closest evacuation center is Birch Bay Bible Community Church just up the hill and the old army base hall.
-You should have emergency supplies to take care of you, your family and your pets, you need enough for 3-5 days including water food and clothing perception drugs and a first aid kit.
-Birch Bay is getting a TSUNAMI warning siren installed, it is due to be completed by the end of this year.
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-These are the signs you would follow to find high ground and get to the evacuation centers.
-Try not to block roads, and be helpful and watch out for our seniors and young children in the park.
-DO NOT GO BACK TO THE PARK UNTIL GIVEN THE WORD BY AUTHORITIES
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PET OWNERS
Need I say more!
We have a real issue with owners (or guests) not picking up your dog POOP!
This is a not only nasty, but it is a huge health concern.
We will be instructing security to ticket if your pet is not cleaned up after and you are seen,
starting at $50.00!
May I please remind you the dog walk are on the sides of the park, not the BERMS!
Also berms are not a place to play off leash with your pet, this also something you may get a fine for so PLEASE walk and clean up after your furry babies, and remind your guests these are the rules.
We have a lot of people and pets in a very small area, lets all do our part to keep the park clean
.
Woof!!
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CANADIAN GEESE
A REMINDER PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE GEESE!
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RESERVING
BBLP PARK BUILDINGS
We are very happy with the apparent need for our park member to host events in our park facilities!
We do want to remind everyone if you have a reservation and a park hosted event pops up, the park hosted event does have priority.
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EASTER EGG HUNT
We were so happy the Easter egg hunt went as well as it did.
The kids had a blast, and from what we are hearing so did the parents and the grandparents.
We hid over 500 plastic eggs and foil wrapped chocolate.
Each child had to find plastic eggs with the letters to spell out (Easter egg) once they found enough to spell the words, they brought their loot up to the table and got a large chocolate egg!
2 lucky kids found the silver and gold eggs which won them a 3 foot chocolate bunny.
It was a hopping good time!
We would also like to thank Patti Austin for taking all of our picture at the egg hunt and at the Easter dinner.
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POOL NEWS
We are so happy to report our new pool hours for our BBLP members.
Starting April 30th the pool will be open on the weekends!
The pool season this year will go
April 30th - October 1st
8:00am - 9:00am lap swim only * (no attendant)
9:00am - 10:00am aqua size ** (no attendant)
10:00am - 12:00pm free swim
12:00pm - 1:00pm adult swim
1:00pm - 4:00pm free swim
4:00pm - 5:00pm adult swim
5:00pm- 9:00pm free swim
9:00 - 10:00pm teen swim 13 - 19 years of age only
*Lap swim hour is for adults and also for children that are in competitive swimming training, for laps only. Any child 12 years of age and under must be supervised at all times by an adult 18 years of age or older as there will be no pool attendant on duty at this time.
There is one "lane rope" available if required, anyone using the rope is responsible for installing it and removing it before 9:00 am. The pool must be cleared by 9:00 am. The rope will not be allowed for the remainder of the day. This is your time to get your laps in unimpeded!
**Aquacise is now 1 hour long and is for adults 18 years of age and older. No attendant will be on duty at this time.
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NEW PATIO FURNITURE
We are very happy to report the patio furniture has arrived on the Brier patio.
The furniture is the results of the
Italian dinner
put on by Taryn Durkin-Bell and Vicci Burnett, entertainment and also paid for some of our new goodies!
Please enjoy and treat it kindly.
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SECURITY NEWS
We are so happy to report our very own
Dennis Hansen will be back to work as the head of security as of April 1st!
He will be assisting Patti Austin on site inspections right away and he will be back on his radar gun!
So don't be a menace or you will mess with Dennis. So make sure to slow down.
Make sure to stop and say hi or introduce yourself if you new, we are so happy to have him back!
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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
With the arrive of spring, comes a feeling of renewal,
and looking forward to the enjoyment of our park in the sunny weather. The winter storms and floods have passed (we hope) and the park is shifting into high gear to prepare for summer. The board had been making plans for increasing the number of social events , as well as some informal surprise events on weekends such as ice cream cone days and impromptu movie nights. We believe that social events are an important part of Leisure Park life style, and they are also important to develop a sense of community. We enjoy putting on events and by so doing, meeting more of our members. We want to consider the children and teenagers so no-one feels left out.
The new Brier center is excellent for hosting events, and is the hub of our Park.
As mentioned in the open board meeting we are striving to keep control of operating costs. For example the water and sewer charges which are based on a metered water consumption. The overage charges happen in the months from middle of May to the middle of September. If possible we will be monitoring water use and issuing advisory notices when water use is high enough to result in extra charges. With your help, I believe the park can save at least $10,000 per year.
The BBWARM tax assessment is $74,000 per-year, which is a fee charged by the county based on the square footage of impervious surface in the park ( roads, buildings and gravel areas) A quick estimate shows that we are most likely being overcharged by about $5000.00 per year. If the entire 80 acre park was paved, our assessment would be $91,000. To be sure, we need to measure the area of grass and flower beds present on each site, this is being done during the site inspections.
I would also like to request your help in reducing our garbage and recycling costs, by taking a few simple steps, as follows:
1. Please flatten cardboard boxes, and place them in the cardboard recycling bin near the front entrance.
Boxes use up a lot of volume in the bins. Space we need for garbage.
2. Please flatten your aluminum cans. A flattened can is 1/2- the the volume of a new can. Flattening cans is fun-I use my feet to stomp them flat! It can also be a task to keep the kids/grand-kids busy! By reducing volume, we save staff-time and bin removal/replacement fees.
3.Please take your garbage to the front when your local bin is full. Placing trash bags on the ground increased staff workload, and garbage contract fees.
Thanks for your cooperation on these items and the board looks forward to a busy but fun summer serving the members of this wonderful park. We always welcome your suggestions and feed back.
Mike
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Security Report
Hello everyone!
We've made it through another wet Washington winter! The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Early flowers are popping up everywhere you look, bringing us their bright and colorful spring blooms. It's true; spring is finally here!
As the weather warms up, our Park members begin to return and another fantastic summer season gets under way. Now is the perfect time to get into the "Leisure Park Groove" of fun filled summer days and laid back summer nights.
The Birch Bay Leisure Park Security Staff is here to assist our members and help make our Park the best it can be. With that in mind, here are some informational tidbits for everyone to review:
- REC TAGS should be worn by members and guests who use the Park's facilities. This includes the Brier Building, the Elm Center, the Bocce Court, and the Tennis Court. Members and guests found in these areas without rec tags will be politely asked to leave until they have their tags. Entry to the Pool Deck requires a Rec Tag to enter, so be sure to grab yours before heading off to take a swim!
We also ask that all you wonderful walkers and cyclists wear your Rec Tags when passing in or out of our front gate. Rec Tags are an instant identification for our members and our guests that you belong here. Wear your Rec Tags with pride!
Birch Bay Leisure Park also strongly recommends that young children wear a Rec Tag whenever they are in the Park for the purpose of identification, should the need arise.
- Construction and Dump / Landfill Permits are available at the Administration Office. If you're looking to make some improvements around your site, or if you just want to get rid of all that clutter, stop by the Office and our staff will assist you.
- Garbage / Recycling / Yard Waste - Ah, those little everyday joys. Birch Bay Leisure Park offers a number of locations to help members manage their trash. Dumpsters for household waste and brush bins for small amounts of yard waste are located at every bath house around the Park. Recycling containers for recyclable items are available at bath houses 3 -10 and at the Brier and Elm Centers. Please make sure that any yard waste is properly bagged or bundled for easy removal by our Park's maintenance staff.
Also, there is a larger recycling area, along with an oversize dumpster for household trash, located beside the Administration Office.
- Lost and Found items are kept at the Administration Office. Found items may be turned in to any Park staff. Most found items are never claimed, so be sure to come by and see if we have what you've lost.
- Birch Bay Leisure Park is a pet friendly place. However, when it comes to some little critters like mice, rats or wasps, less is definitely more. If you spot any unwanted or dangerous critters or insects in our Park, please report it as soon as possible.
- Front Gate Sign-Ins for: January = Approx. 140, February = Approx. 140, March = Approx. 190
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TIGER TORCHES
We have had many incidents of members
using TIGER TORCHES that have caused fires that have caused damage and have become out of control.
I would like to remind everyone these are not allowed in BBLP they are banned
if you are caught using them you will receive a
fine.
Please think of your fellow members, these can cause serious damage.
We have already had one fire in the park this March that got out of control caused by a TIGER TORCH. The fire trucks had to come, and the neighbor of the members using the torch almost lost their trailer.
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EASTER POT LUCK
We are very happy to report our Easter Pot luck was a huge success!
It was a full event that everyone enjoyed and took ownership in making this event a great one.
The food was amazing, I would personally like to thank everyone who brought food.
The park supplied and cooked the ham and potatoes the rest was everyone else.
We had many kind compliments on the event on how nice it was to have a family event in the park again, where our layered generations could spend time together. We had lots of kids at this event, I would like to personally say how amazing every single one of them where!
Happy Easter!
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